Why wait for 2012?: Rs. 5 lakh to Rs. 10 lakh cars

New Maruti Swift DZire

Expected : Early 2012, Price Rs 5 lakh – Rs 7 lakh

The new Suzuki Swift is already here and that means that the Swift DZire isn’t too far away. The new car’s price will not be too different from the current Swift DZire. It will incorporate the new Swift’s design, platform and the engines. It will result in a Swift with a boot, more style and a whole lot of practicality like the current Swift DZire. We only wish the new DZire has a better looking boot!

New Fiat Punto

Expected: Mid 2012, Expected price: Rs 4.8 lakh – Rs 6.9 lakh

Updated price after 2012 Delhi Auto Expo: Rs. 4.81 lakh - Rs. 6.71 lakh

It’s been a while since the hot looking Punto entered the Indian market and it’s still hot enough to turn heads. The new car has been launched internationally and changes include an all-new front end with re-designed headlights, tail lights and a bigger grille. The interiors have been freshened as well and overall it’s a much better place to be in. There are new engines being offered as well, but the chances of these coming to India are pretty low. Expect minor bumps in power and pray that we get that smoking 1.4 multi-air unit.

Skoda Fabia Scout

Expected: Mid 2012, Price: Rs 6 lakh – Rs 7 lakh

While cross or off-road versions of popular hatchbacks, like the Fiat Palio Adventure, haven’t worked too well in India in the past, that certainly isn’t stopping Skoda from doing the same with the Fabia. The Skoda Fabia Scout is basically a Fabia with a jacked up suspension to give it a little more ground clearance along with metal bash plates at either end and protective cladding around the sides. While the lack of four-wheel drive will prevent it from entering true blue off-road territory, all the changes should help it to deal with broken roads and gravel. The car has been caught testing around Skoda’s factory in Aurangabad and should be available with in the same engine options as the standard Fabia.

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Renault Pulse

Expected launch date: January 2012. Price: Rs 5 lakh – Rs 7 lakh

Updated price after 2012 Delhi Auto Expo: Rs.5.77 lakh - Rs. 6.25 lakh

This is the first hatchback in the country to be launched with a diesel engine only. Renault will offer a petrol if there is demand. A smart move. The interiors are fresh but  replicate the Nissan Micra to an extent. On the outside it has some changes up front  while the rear is more or less the same as the Micra. With Renault’s tie-up with Nissan, this should turn out to be a totally different car.

Nissan Sunny diesel

Expected: Early 2012 Price: Rs 8 lakh – Rs 9 lakh

With diesel cars topping the sales charts, Nissan too will bring in the diesel-powered variant of its latest mid-size sedan, the Sunny soon. The car will employ Nissan’s 1.5-litre K9K engine, which currently powers the Micra diesel as well as Renault’s diesel cars in its 1.5 dCi avatar. The same motor in the Micra diesel makes 63PS of power but the engine has been tweaked to 85 horsepower for use in the Sunny and attention has been given to improve driveability and mid-range grunt. Expect the car to hit Nissan dealerships in the first quarter of 2012 while the prices will range between Rs 8 ;akh and Rs 9 lakh.

Renault Sandero

Expected: Mid-2012, Price: Rs 4 lakh – Rs 6 lakh

A five-door hatchback, the Renault Sandero is on its way to India to enter the crowded yet lucrative hatchback segment. Like the Pulse, the Sandero could take on bigger hatches like the Hyundai i20 and the Ford Figo.
 Available with 1.2-litre, 1.4-litre and 1.6-litre petrol engines as well as with Renault’s 1.5dCi diesel motor, the Sandero is a fair match for its rivals although a bit bigger in overall size. Based on the Logan platform, the Sandero will be priced competitively. A face-lifted version of the Renault Sandero was launched in Brazil in May 2011 and it may make its Indian debut in mid-2012.

New Force Trax

Expected: Mid 2012, Price: Rs 5 lakh – Rs 6.5 lakh

The hardy and rugged Trax SUV has been one of Force Motors’ oldest workhorses. Force Motors recently launched Force One which is testimony to how far this company has come from its rural beginnings. Expect the new Trax to be an all-new car. While exteriors are expected to be all-new, the engine could be a detuned unit from the Force One. Like the current car, expect it to be available in short and long wheelbase versions. The Trax is an extremely capable off-roader and with all the new hardware, expect the Trax to be an extremely good all-round product.

Renault Duster

Expected: early 2012 Price: Rs 7 lakh – Rs 10 lakh

The Duster is a flashy new mini SUV from Renault that will hit our roads early 2012. It is expected to be priced in the Rs 7-10 lakh range. Available in 1.6-litre petrol and 1.5-litre diesel engine options, the Duster will be a sub 10-lakh-rupee soft-roader which can tackle a fair bit of rough terrain but not serious off-roading. There will be two diesel engines on offer, one with 90 horses, while the other one will be the more powerful 107 version. The Duster is based on the same platform as the Logan and the highlights of the car include impressive cabin space, good ride quality and respectable performance with solid build quality.

2012 Tata Safari Storme

Coming in March 2011, Expected price: Rs 8 lakh – Rs 12 lakh

The Safari has been aching for a face-lift, but apparently the Aria took up most of the R&D time at Tata Motors. A refreshed Tata Safari, the Tata Safari Storme is on its way, with a new front end and tail lamps. The same 2.2-litre DiCOR engine will power the SUV, but the new look will be timely.

New Ford SUV

Expected: Late 2012, Price: Rs 7 lakh – Rs 8.5 lakh

The Blue Oval has been riding the wave of success of late thanks to the Figo and the recently re-priced Fiesta Classic. Ford has only had one SUV to its credit, namely the Endeavour which has been moderately successful. The company now plans to unleash an all-new SUV, possibly in the Rs 14-18 lakh bracket. Expect lots of space, butch looks and go-anywhere capability thanks to 4-wheel drive hardware.

Mahindra mini Xylo

Expected : Early 2012, Price 5 lakh – Rs 6 lakh

More of the capitalisation on the sub 4-metre excise duty regulations for small cars will be seen by Mahindra on the Xylo platform. Armed with a shortened Xylo chassis and a downsized version of the Xylo’s diesel engine (maybe missing one cylinder too), the mini Xylo could become somewhat of a bother to big hatchbacks. The only other car we’ve seen in India currently like the mini Xylo is the Premier Rio. If they play it right, the mini Xylo could be priced low at around Rs 5 lakh and considering Mahindra’s reputation in the country, it should appeal to the fantasy of many despite losing its third row.

Maruti Suzuki Ertiga

Expected : Mid 2012, Price Rs 7 lakh – Rs 9 lakh

Maruti’s keen on entering the MPV segment, a fact that they weren’t too coy about when they showed off the R III concept at the 2010 Auto Expo in New Delhi. The production version of the car is almost here and it may very well be called the Ertiga based on spy shots. It may not be as spacious as the Innova, but rest assured quality will be top notch as per Maruti’s standards. Expect a lot of common parts with the Swift especially inside.
There will also be a lot of creature comforts including dedicated AC vents for the passengers and the Ertiga should be priced under the Rs 10 lakh mark at its launch at the 2012 Auto Expo.

Force MPV

Expected: End 2012, Price: Rs 6.5 lakh – Rs 10.5 lakh

This is another segment where Force Motors will make its presence felt. While the Traveller has been pretty popular, Force needs a smaller and more modern MPV to compete in this segment. With the Toyota Innova and the Mahindra Xylo ruling the segment, the Force MPV is sure to expand this segment even further. Expect the 7-seater to offer humongous space coupled with smart flexible seating options as well. Keep watching this space.

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